The great gatsby 3
The great gatsby 3Death of a Salesman and the American Dream
Most people in America acknowledge that there are certain standards they are expected to live up to. For many, this is a wonderful and dignified belief. Although, in some cases people can be so preoccupied with the ideal that it becomes a burden. They are thus unable to accomplish their dream. There are two specific essays that portray this idea, one is by Howard Fuller entitled "A salesman is Everybody" and another by Harold Clurman entitled "The Success Dream on the American Stage." Both essays state opinions about the American Dream and its relation to Death of a Salesman in which the main character, Willy Loman, lives by his own ideal, which in the end causes his downfall. Willy's life revolves around chasing his ideal of the American dream rather than actually living it. This pursuit contributes to his deficiency in finding success in his life, and why he fails to live out his American dream.
Willy Loman has lived his life in a quest for the American dream. Harold Clurman states that, "Death of a Salesman is a challenge to the American dream."
"The American dream has become distorted to the dream of business success." Willy Loman is looking for an easy way to become rich and successful. Conventionally the American dream meant freedom and prosperity for everyone and Willy is a firm believer of this. But working hard could not get him everything that he wanted or thought he deserved. He seems to measure himself as well as others by the material things they own. Unable to live his American dream in this consumer-based culture, he has a longing for things that he can not afford nor does he really need. He thinks he should buy new stockings for his wife and a new refrigerator although she is happy with what they have.
In his striving to get a hold on his vision of the American dream, Willy honors his brother Ben. Ben stumbled across his wealth, but Willy believes that Ben worked hard for it, and wants his sons to do the same: work hard and be like Uncle Ben. Willy asks Ben "What's the answer? How did you do it?" To Willy, Ben symbolizes the American dream to the fullest! He has gained a lot of...
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